According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, the White Sox announced this afternoon that second baseman Gordon Beckham has suffered a strained left oblique and will be shut down from baseball activities for seven days.

We’re about two weeks away from the start of the regular season, so Beckham will have to make quick progress to avoid a stint on the disabled list. And oblique injuries are known to linger. If he is forced to miss the start of the season, it could open the door for prospect Marcus Semien to play second base. One possible alternative, Jeff Keppinger, is already expected to begin the year on the disabled list due to soreness in his surgically-repaired shoulder.

Beckham, 27, hit .267/.322/.372 with five home runs, 24 RBI, and five stolen bases in 102 games last season.